Nebraska Delegate Elected President of the 2015 American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation

—7/31/15—

From left: Vice President Hanna Watson (KS) and President Kamryn Sannicks (NE) after their official inauguration

From left: President Sannicks and Vice President Watson react to the news of winning the election.

Washington, D.C. – A young woman of character and conviction rose to the top of American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation 2015 when she was elected president during Thursday’s session.

A rising senior at Lincoln North Star High School, Kamryn Sannicks of Lincoln, Nebraska, was elected by her peers — 97 other “senators” from 49 states who were carefully selected to attend ALA Girls Nation in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Sannicks is involved in Varsity Girls Golf Team, North Star Young Democrats, and the
North Star Debate Team. When not busy in her academics, she finds time to volunteer with The Center for People in Need, and The Friendship Home. Sannicks has made several achievements, including 2015 Lancaster County Democratic Party Volunteer of the Year, 2015 National Honor Society Inductee, and 2014 North Star Performing Arts Wall of Fame Inductee. Sannicks is interested in pursuing a career as a politician.

Sannicks shared the respect she has for her fellow delegates at ALA Girls Nation during her campaign speech. “I can honestly say that I have gained something from each and every one of you in this room,” she said. She related ALA Girls Nation to work she’s done on local campaigns where she typically runs events on the weekends and evenings such as talking to voters in her community. Sannicks credited her dad, a veteran of the United States Army, for teaching her that you must learn before you can leap. “I’ve grown more as a leader since I have been here…you can never stop learning to lead,” Sannicks said during her closing remarks.

Sannicks took her oath of office today at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center, administered by American Legion Auxiliary National President Janet Jefford.

Each American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation delegate represents her home state as a senator. The senators caucus at the beginning of the session, organize into committees and conduct hearings on bills, allowing delegates to learn the proper legislative procedures according to the U.S. Senate.

American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation is a premier leadership conference designed to provide practical insight into the workings of government, to instill a sense of pride and loyalty in America, to empower young women to become leaders and to create friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

About the American Legion Auxiliary: Members of the American Legion Auxiliary, which was founded in 1919, have dedicated themselves to meeting the needs of the United States’ veterans, military and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $3 billion. As part of the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization, Auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with ALA Girls State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.

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For more information on ALA Girls Nation or to arrange an interview with Kamryn Sannicks while in Washington, D.C., contact: Stacy Poca - Cell phone: 317-250-4960; email: spoca@alaforveterans.org. Additional information and photo galleries available at www.facebook.com/ALAGirlsNation. High resolution digital images available upon request.

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